Hedgehog behaviour.

[Seajay]

Saw something very unusual whilst walking around the college on a security patrol just after dawn. As I neared an archway which opens up onto a large lawned area I heard a loud, rasping, repeated series of grunts.
Emerging from the archway, to my right there was a large blackberry bush growing against the wall. At it's base were two hedgehogs, one much larger (the largest I have ever seen in fact) and paler in colour than the other. From the noise I expected a territorial battle but the large one kept walking around the smaller in a complete circle attempting to what looked like rub noses! The smaller turned slowly round always keeping it's head turned towards the other continually emitting this rasping grunt. Eventually the larger turned and snuffled into the bush emerging a few minutes later near my feet and then ran towards the smaller one who had not moved a muscle since but was now silent. It immediately started the noise again and the whole process repeated.
The whole process was repeated four times (about twenty minutes in total) when the larger one turned and trundled off across the lawn. After three or four minutes the smaller one trundled off under the bush doing what hedgehogs usually do. Wish I'd had my camera!

Colin

[mh68]

Sounds like classic mating behaviour Colin.

Mark H

[Seajay]

I finally though that but they didn't mate. Not quite the right time I suppose. Incredible to be able to watch the ritual though.

Colin

[mh68]

Indeed, a great sighting. Courtship behaviour can go on quite a while before actual mating takes place, like most mammals.As you say, the time probably wasnt quite right

Mark H

[Jez]

Maybe she just wasn't having any of it. But like Mark says, it does sound exactly like mating behavior!

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Seajay

I finally though that but they didn't mate. Not quite the right time I suppose.

Colin

Would you while someone was watching?

henrya

[Seajay]

No I suppose not

Colin

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by thunder

Would you while someone was watching?

henrya

Some footballers....

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Some footballers....

Allegedly!!

henrya

[JCH]

Hi Seajay, Had a very similar experience last night at about 10:45 heard this loud sound almost like a duck quack, switched off the lights and crept out to see what it was. I then spend an hour sitting on the grass less than 3 feet away while there was continouous snorting and "Quacking" all noise made by the hedgehog in the centre while the other did move away a couple of times. Eventually a third one arrived and chased of the original "circler" who took refuge tight against my thigh, the spines went through my trousers but managed to stay still!! The new arrival then took up circling but soon gave up and scuttled away, did this about 3 times. The refugee stayed put until both the others had moved well away. My question is, which is the male behaviour and which is the female? JCH